Nestled in the coastal town of Prachuap Khiri Khan, Wat Khao Takiap is a captivating Buddhist temple renowned for its breathtaking views, intricate architecture, and rich cultural heritage. Visitors can explore its serene grounds, climb to the summit for panoramic vistas, and immerse themselves in the peaceful ambiance of this spiritual site.
Wat Khao Takiap, located at 123, 55 Nong Kae-Takiap, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand, is a remarkable destination that combines natural beauty with spiritual significance. Towering on a hill overlooking the stunning Gulf of Thailand, this temple is often referred to as Monkey Mountain due to its playful inhabitants. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted with the sight of the majestic golden Buddha statue, which serves as a focal point amidst the lush surroundings. The temple grounds are adorned with intricate carvings and colorful murals that reflect traditional Thai artistry, inviting guests to appreciate the cultural richness of the region. Adventurous visitors can ascend the winding path leading to the viewpoint, where they are rewarded with sweeping panoramas of the coastline and nearby islands. The tranquil ambiance, coupled with the gentle sounds of nature, makes it an ideal spot for reflection and meditation. A visit to Wat Khao Takiap allows guests to connect with both the spiritual and natural essence of Thailand while experiencing the warmth of local culture. Whether seeking a peaceful retreat or an adventure in exploration, this temple promises an unforgettable experience for all who venture here.
วัดเขาตะเกียบ (หัวหิน, ไทย) - รีวิว - ThailandAgoda.com
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Wat Khao Takiap is perched on a picturesque hilltop overlooking 123, 55 Nong Kae-Takiap, Prachuap Khiri Khan , 77110, Thailand
Located at Top hill the temple..alot of monkey arround..need to climb the stairway to up to the temple..good view from the top.A great place to visit.
Monkeys! They’re everywhere and make sure you keep your bag close and be wary of them. Have a monkey hissing back at me when I try to shoo it away from my ride. Not until the shopkeeper come with a sling shot did it left. With that said, the view at the top is nice and worth the stairs hike. I did went during a very hot season, so advice sunblock and shades.
Confusingly, a lot of these photos don’t resemble anything we saw at this site, which is run down and tatty, with lots of stray dogs & a plethora of monkeys who will chase you if you have food/soft drinks containing sugar. Having walked up from the fisherman’s village, there is little non-Thai signage (but Google translate is your friend here!) & once you’ve escaped the monkeys, there are around 100 steps up to the temple itself. Here you’ll be persuaded to part with cash by monks on cell phones who show little interest in you being there or it being a temple & appear to be there only to stop a monkey invasion. The views are amazing & worth the climb, but unless you want to see that or a filthy run down area, don’t bother. Sadly, they don’t seem to bother litter picking so the area is run down & rubbish strewn- though to be fair there are no bins & the monkeys will chase you & take anything they can from you before discarding it, so the issue may not be entirely preventable. i couldn’t help but feel that the crumbling infrastructure & apparent total lack of care & pride in the area told the true story of the area which appears to be a money making mine for the monks rather than somewhere they have any pride in or keep nice to celebrate their religion.
What an incredible place. The views are outstanding. The temple is breathtaking. Lots of steps watch out for the monkeys they are quite charming and also very naughty. There are a couple of stalls selling bits and bobs. But the main attraction is the temples. They are so bright and colorful. I could have stayed all day it was so peaceful and charming definitely worth the trek up the hill.
We got to Khao Takiap with a local TukTuk, and there are a couple of shops as you walk up the stairs from the beach before you spot a big Buddha statue. From here, you can take the long staircase behind it to reach the main parts of the temple ( Wat Khao Takiab )here. Roughly in the middle of the staircase, there’s a small shrine on the side, and on top you can find some statues, a viewpoint, one more Buddha statue and the main temple.This area, however, is sadly in not such a good shape. A lot of buildings are in dire need of repairs.The view, however is just stunning. The monkeys there didn’t bother us at all, and if you keep your distance and don’t bring plastic bags or food with you, they will usually just look at you, but not bother you at all.From the small viewpoint up here, we spotted another temple not far from here, which was called the Phra Mae Kwan Im Shrine according to google maps. We took another TukTuk to reach that place, and it took us up the hill, past all the local fish restaurants until we reached the top. Some locals were just calling this area “The Chinese Temple”, so If you want to take a TukTuk as well, best use this name.On the main area, you can spot a temple where we could listen to the chants of the monks before we spotted the stairs leading up to the temple on top. If you want to head inside, you have to take off your shoes, but from up there you can also just enjoy the truly magnificent view which was definitely worth the climb!Apart from that area, however, there’s even more if you decide to walk the other way. This path will lead to you a small Chinese temple which is truly fascinating as well. Most of the monkeys here were in this area, but they didn’t bother us at all. This temple contains a large number of pagodas and statues all decorated in blue, red and gold colours and also a statue of Guanyin, the Chinese Goddess with the thousand arms.
DO NOT GO HERE ON A RENTED MOTORBIKE. We went on a Wednesday morning, December 20, 2023. There were monkeys everywhere and they went straight to the motorbike. I tried to shoo it away and it got aggressive and lunged at me. We walked up the stairs to the temple, came back 15 minutes later and saw the monkey sitting on the motorbike and ripping apart the cushion. I guy with a slingshot helped get them away and then an 80 year old lady with a walker helped us but the monks did not do much. The monkeys are territorial and just nasty towards people. Avoid it if you can and good luck.
Google maps took me all round the houses & through the fish market, past lots of monkeys & Soi dogs & then up a very steep road.It was nice at the top, but I was very wary of all the monkeys. They however weren’t as scary as a couple of the Soi dogs who barked at me non stop & followed me back down the hill. Nice views from the top.
Rent a scooter, and drive 20 minutes. You will be at the end of the huge 9 km beach of Hua Hin. Climb the many steps, past hordes of wild monkeys, and enjoy the panoramic views.
Wat Khao Takiap is a wonderful place to visit, offering stunning views of Hua Hin and the surrounding coastline from the top. The temple itself is beautiful, and the experience of climbing up the stairs makes it feel like a little adventure. However, be prepared for the many monkeys along the way! It’s highly recommended to find a stick before you start the climb, as this will help keep the monkeys at a distance. As long as you have a stick, they won’t bother you at all, and you can enjoy the hike without any worries. Overall, it’s a great spot to explore, combining culture, nature, and a bit of excitement.